Ceres High’s softball team remained atop the Western Athletic Conference standings last week after winning a pair of games.
Central Valley’s Central California Conference game versus Buhach Colony was postponed due to rainy weather.
The Bulldogs took over sole possession of first place in the WAC following their 11-4 win over the Los Banos Tigers on Thursday in Ceres.
Ceres High improved to 6-7 overall and 5-0 in the conference standings.
Los Banos dropped to 11-2-1 and 4-1.
“It was an important game,” Ceres High head coach Mike Corsaut said. “Both teams were undefeated (in league). We took care of business. The girls were focused. They were locked in.”
The Bulldogs collected 12 hits.
Ava Montesdeoca batted 1-for-2 with one double, two RBI and two runs.
Nani Sagapolu batted 2-for-3 with three runs.
Illiana Saldana batted 2-for-4 with two RBIs and one run.
Alize Cole batted 2-for-3 with two runs.
Elizabeth Figueroa batted 2-for-4 with two RBIs.
Isabela Giraldes batted 1-for-3 with one double and two runs.
Bella Bravo batted 1-for-4 with two RBIs.
Gabriela Ortiz batted 1-for-1 with one RBI and one run.
“We were patient at the plate,” Corsaut said. “Numerous girls had two hits. We played good defense. We did what we had to do to win the game.”
Cole allowed four runs and eight hits with four strikeouts and one walk while pitching a complete game.
“She threw strikes. She did a good job.”
The Bulldogs scored three times in the bottom of the first inning thanks in large part to two Tiger errors.
Bravo had a two-run single.
Ceres High extended its lead to 9-2 after tallying six runs in the sixth inning.
“We put the ball in play when we had to."
The Bulldogs and Tigers will play the second game of their WAC series on April 30 in Los Banos.
“We know Los Banos is good. “They’re a well-coached team. They have a lot of talented players.”
Ceres High totaled 15 hits and committed no errors during its 12-0 victory over Pacheco on March 26 in Los Banos.
Giraldes batted 5-for-5 from the plate with one double, four RBIs and two runs.
She was sidelined last season with a knee injury.
“It’s so good to have her back in the lineup,” Corsaut said. “She’s swinging a mean bat right now.”
Montesdeoca batted 3-for-5 with three runs.
Sagapolu batted 2-for-3 with two RBIs and one run.
Figueroa batted 2-for-3 with two runs.
Cole batted 2-for-4 with two RBIs.
Amaia Pritchett batted 1-for-3 with two runs.
Maddie Schultz had one RBI.
Saldana scored one run.
Kylie Bond had one RBI.
Bond gave up no runs and three hits with five strikeouts and three walks in seven innings.
“It’s a good confidence boost for her,” said Corsaut.
“She made the ball move. She hit her spots. We did a great job playing defense behind her.”
The Bulldogs totaled 27 hits and just one error during conference play last week.
“I love where we are right now. We got to continue playing well. We played tough teams in the preseason so we’d be ready for league. I expect the girls to be the best team in the WAC.”
Central Valley and Buhach Colony remained in third and last place, respectively, in the CCC following the postponement of last Wednesday’s game in Ceres.
The Hawks (6-8, 2-1) held a 7-4 lead when the contest was stopped in the top of the fifth inning because of the rain.
“Our field was fine,” stated Central Valley head Coach Jimmy Bates. “We had an issue with the ball slipping out of our pitcher’s hand. The umpires said they’d suspend play if the ball was slipping out of either pitchers’ hand. We’ll finish the game when we go to Buhach for our other league game against them. Last year when we played them, our first game got rained out completely.”
Central Valley and Ceres High will both play in the NorCal Classic this week in Tracy.
